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Obinara: The Dark Season

A story for @jedimasterbailey, and anyone who likes a little Obinara in their life :) Though it’s not a Christmas story, I’d like to think of it as a present for Bailey and fellow Star Wars fans :)

Master Kenobi sneezed while he took the shuttle discreetly to the meeting place on Byss. That cold he had from the battle of Crait would hang over him for a while. He steered down to the colony through the clouds and the orange haze of the setting sun. The port was near a nondescript tundra in a secret city of colonists who sought to escape the war. He was set to meet Jedi Master Luminara Unduli at a small cafe in a very quiet sector of the colony. The shuttle landed and no one paid any attention as he walked from the ship, though he had proper papers for meeting with the 42nd shock troops division. He observed how most colonists and clones wore masks, punctuating the crisis they faced on this world.

He had received a warning from Luminara on an emergency frequency. "Our troops are being struck down" she called out from her base "A strange virus, code named the Dark Season" she informed him. Something about her expressions created a sense of foreboding, and he had to fly to Byss quickly.

Luminara waited in a crude fortress structure outside the colony. She meditated after being informed of a visiting Jedi. Calm though she was, her thoughts dwelt on an anxiety, and sadness closed within her heart. They might lose the entire system to the Separatists. And there was something much worse. Lumi was hiding a terrible anxiety for her padawan. Barriss was also on Byss, working tirelessly in the medical tents with the wounded, struggling to hold back this mysterious plague that was striking down their soldiers. She constantly risked exposure, but never waivered in her duty to the soldiers and her Master.

Luminara sat in a chair by a window overlooking the plains of Byss. She pondered the fate of her family in a galaxy preoccupied by war. Pondered the consequences if they were defeated by this virus on Byss. How many more good people would die if she didn't find a solution? Time was running out and she felt tremendous pressure on her shoulders.

"It's good to see you again" Obi-wan smiled as he sat down next to her, waking her from deep thoughts. She was surprised to see him, holding her breath for a moment. Even though they were to meet, the war had kept them apart for a long time.

Luminara was quiet as she started out with official business "There are reports of a skirmish on the sixth planet. The Council feels-"

"-How are you?" he asked. She almost smiled but stared ahead silently for a few seconds. "I hope you had a chance to see the sunset after landing. Byss is not always a pleasant place, but it has some beauty when you time it right" he caressed her cheek. She hesitated, feeling a little embarrassed. She could sense his hunger, longing for her embrace. Obi-wan gazed at her soft face, remembering that night. It was all he could think about after her dire message. It had been two months since that first time, that night they were.....together. It was a terrible battle on Kamino, and both of them helped repel a droid fleet of minisubs, almost drowning and freezing in the storm swept ocean. Taking refuge in an abandoned and wrecked part of Tipoca city that night, the two realized they would succumb to hypothermia and ice cold waters that drenched them if they did not find a way to generate heat under a warm blanket. Their night together was one of survival that turned into fiery passion to love life......They worshiped with kisses and frantic forbidden animal rituals upon a beautifully carnal altar, bodies intertwined, loud lustful prayers to the Heavens and souls that became one in the Force in a different kind of storm....

But that is another story for later time.

"Duty is a curse" she replied.

"That it is." he agreed

"A good sunset is rare on Byss, but I did see it." She looked at him, feeling a fire in her heart "It is the winter season here at this stage of its orbit. Surviving and living becomes a challenge for these few months. There is something else..." It was back to official business of the war. Obi-wan could tell by her expression it was serious.

"You said something about the Dark season" he whispered.

"It is a disease, maybe a virus. It causes a progressive memory loss. The early stages cause the subject to have confusion, long term memories fade. Many of our troops have been exposed to the Dark Season. Most are in the confusion stages and are having difficulties with their duties! If we cannot find a way to stop it, the disease will progress...."

"How bad?"

"The infected will fall into a coma. Their brains will cease to function. They will be empty shells, breathing like automations, but without life." she sighed with a little despair.

"Dooku's latest plot, and it's ironic since he's never accepted the clones as living beings!" Kenobi controlled his now stern voice. But his shock at this new scheme horrified him. His thoughts were interrupted by another sneeze.

"You have a cold?" Luminara reacted with surprise.

"My illness is paltry compared to what our troops may be going through. If we don't stop it, Every living being on the planet will be at risk. Byss will fall to the droids who can withstand our ailments."

They exited the fortress and went to the medical facility on the base. She showed him first hand the scope of the Dark Season. Obi-wan furled his brow as he observed the different stages of the Clone patients under quarantine. Many were placed in large rooms for observation, but seemed very calm and rational.

But as they moved further into the facility, the quarantined rooms that they observed from the labs disturbed him more and more. The clones with progressively worse conditions were isolated in smaller cells. Some had progressed into a vegetable state, staring at the glass separating them from the Jedi. Others had become irrational and violent, paranoid of their surroundings.

"As a healer, I can do much to alleviate physical wounds and pain" Luminara sighed "But this new virus.....it is beyond my comprehension. And it's very contagious. It has spread amongst nearly the entire Defense Force. Byss will be vulnerable to the Separatists in a matter of days, if not hours."

Obi-wan and Luminara made their way to the lab where she continued to work. They examined microbes and tested various antibiotics under microscopes to find a way to counter the mysterious affliction that was causing the memory loss in the Clone army. Other medical technicians were working at their stations, including several Kaminoans while the Jedi also tried to break the secret of the virus.

"Have you been able to take time to work with Barriss?" he asked.

Luminara looked up at him blankly. "Who?" she had a surprised look in her eyes. They stared at each other. Lumi realized she had slipped, giving away another secret.

"Your Padawan?" Obi-wan suddenly felt very uncomfortable.

Luminara went back to her research awkwardly. He went over and put his arms around her. Luminara reached for some index cards by her station to examine. Obi-wan held his breath with terrible realization as he read names on the cards. One of the cards read 'Barriss is your student', 'Gree is the Clone Commander', 'Obi is -' He grabbed the cards and read them. Luminara stared away in silence.

"How long have you been infected?" he asked.

Luminara hesitated "I know you, don't I?" she turned to face him and could see the distress in his eyes. Her face sank, having tried to keep up a facade for a man who she forgot because of her exposure. It was sheer discipline that has kept her going to solve the mystery of the virus that was slowing eating their minds away. She felt her heart jump and rave in his presence, so she at least knew he was someone important to her.

"Yes" he whispered. The entire lab worked around them, but they felt alone together. Obi-wan felt helpless for almost a minute. Then he held her tight for a split second and went back to work, doubling his efforts. The Dark Season was about to claim his beloved....

Gree entered the lab with haste. "General Unduli, General Kenobi! We've been given an update by our intel network."

The Jedi followed him to the tactical chamber. Obi-wan sneezed again, whispering a small curse at the distraction. His mind was focused on other things, and a cold was only slowing him down. Gree pulled up a coded message by one of their agents, Lieutenant Manny. Manny was part of Baron Papanoida's spy network to watch over several sectors of the outer rim.

"Go ahead, Commander" Luminara hesitated.

"There is an invasion fleet at the edge of the system" Gree looked over a datapad "We’ve detected the droids beyond the last buoy in our security. They will be landing in a matter of hours"

"How many?" Luminara felt a new wave of weariness over her.

"They have a Federation battleship with support ships, no doubt there will come a flood of transports with hordes of clankers. Without this blasted virus, we might hold them off while reinforcements arrive.....but at our current strength, the boys will be confused, panicked, disorganized and fatigued. I can't keep them disciplined so long as this condition continues to weaken them!"

Obi-wan sighed for a second. Then sneezed again. "Gah", he grabbed a tissue to wipe his nose "Last time I go on a recon to Crait!"

"Our troops will not be in any condition to fight. The Dark Season will sweep across the front lines before the Separatists even land." Luminara went back to her microscope.

"What does the Dark Season feel like?" Obi-wan asked "I seem to be perfectly fine. If this virus is spreading so fast, why am I unaffected?"

Luminara looked at him curiously "That is a good question. You have no confusion, no memory loss?" He shook his head. She examined his eyes and made him open his mouth "Hmmm, you don't seem to be developing any of the symptoms. Very strange. Everyone here has some degree-"

Kenobi sneezed, turning away from her as he grabbed another tissue. "Sorry. I'm making a mess with all these tissues."

"No!" she took the wrinkled up tissue from him "It....may be a clue!" She began to examine his DNA under the scanners and microscopes in the lab. It took a while, minutes felt like hours, but she became more energetic and enlightened "I think I know why!" She gave him a big smile "Your cold has given you immunity! Somehow, your time on Crait has strengthened your body, not weakened it!"

Obi-wan smiled as they embraced, but then he looked at her with trepidation "We need to make a syrum for all the troops, but we don't have enough time!"

"First thing's first" Luminara "I'll need an immediate sample to work with. We can draw some of your blood and start reproducing the virus. It might reverse the effects on our soldiers!"

They both almost danced a little celebration after one of the techs quickly took several samples of his blood to prep for possible vaccines. Even a little hope was better than none at all. "How do we know this will even work?" he asked.

"I need you to infect someone" Luminara smiled a little bigger. She grabbed him and they kissed intensely! They embraced with excited hearts, lost in a moment that they longed for while the entire medical staff watched in silence. Gree tried to clear his throat, embarrassed.

She pulled away from him gently. She was stoic, but he could sense she was, in fact, filled with joy. "It was the fastest way to be sure. Your cold will be coursing through me, and should counter the other virus." So sure she was that this handsome, sweet man she did not recognized had carried the solution within him she went fast to work.

It wasn't long before Gree received a communication on his comlink "Commander! We're getting reports of a Separatist transport landing nearby! They're coming in very close! Should we attack?"

"No" Obi-wan had an idea "I'm going to meet them, buy us some time. If we can get this cure to the troops, maybe we can push them off the planet!" he rushed out while Master Unduli and the medics worked fast to bring a serum to the soldiers. Luminara called for a squad of medic droids to work fast at reproducing the new formula. She felt a little dizzy, and could not tell if it was Obi-wan's cold affecting her......or his smile.

Dr. Vindi and Wat Tambor landed their shuttle and casually sipped an expensive wine as their troops marched from their holdings. Large, tank like vehicles strolled out onto the field and released large swarms of droids that lined up into formation while droidekas flanked the main body. The leaders sat comfortably on a floating barge, his Chariot above the world, decadent with their riches as they anticipated an easy victory.

"It is a fine day, the weather is cool but acceptable" Wat adjusted a nob on his chestplate "I anticipate your secret weapon has all but disabled the riff raff protecting this world!"

Dr. Vindi smiled, tasting victory in the sweetness of his drink "The Republic's troops should be a confused, panicked mass by now! We will roll over them and take the system! Not even the Jedi can stop a virus from spreading!"

One of the droid patrols flies towards the landing zone where Wat and Vindi casually discussed amateur strategy. "My Lord!" the bot panicked "There is a lone intruder walking towards us!"

"One lone intruder? Out in the open?" Wat Tambor shrugged "Should I be so afraid of one Clone?"

"If it were a clone, it wouldn't be worth reporting" The Droid waved its arms in explanation "But I have reason to believe we are about to be visited by a Jedi!"

The two of them stepped back in shock, but Vindi gave a chuckle "The virus will have decimated his mind. We could use this opportunity to our advantage....before we eliminate the Jedi!"

The Jedi wandered up to them, acting harmless "Good sir! I am in need of assistance! There's an army not too far from here....and I think they are a bit scary! Would you kindly bring your killer droids to cleanse the planet? Oh please?"

"What?" Wat asked, confused "You want us to....invade?"

Obi-wan put on his best terrified face "Those troops in the white armor....I don't know who they are! They are scaring the inhabitants of this planet! Please....could you march your army of darkness at the Clones and cover all the lands in darkness?"

Wat looked at Dr. Vindi, somewhat annoyed "Your memory virus worked too well, it would seem" he pressed a button, commanding his troops on the ground to advance. "Fine, we shall take this planet, and....*liberate* you of your concerns." The Separatist commander

Vindi stared at the Jedi for a moment, not sure if he should be overjoyed at the success of his scheme or if the Jedi was merely made crazy by his illness. They marched as more ships landed, heading for the GAR base. The ranks of the droid troops began to swell and march forward. Ever onward, they followed Kenobi to the facility. An open field lay bare before them.

"No troops" Wat looked around "They have fled in their madness! The airships are also gone! The air field is empty!" he signaled from his pleasure barge to march forward.

Vindi looked at the Jedi "It must be discouraging for you to not remember anything, to not have any ability with your pathetic mind wiped! Shame. You might have been a worthy opponent if you were not reduced to a meek little insect by my virus!"

Obi-wan turned to him, suddenly smiling, not so meek as he had first appeared. "But being a Jedi Knight was not my true strength...."

Luminara gave a signal as the droids crossed into the open. She lit up her light sabre and smiled at her clever Obi-wan. Hundreds of Clone troops suddenly appeared from their hiding places, and a dozen LAAT gunships arched over from a hill. Wat Tambor and Dr. Vindi froze, realizing that their plan had somehow failed.

"Impossible!" Vindi shrieked "My virus was full proof! They should all be in comas by now!! HOW??"

"I do not believe in mere Jedi powers. I believe in Love..." Obi-wan attacked with his saber. The clones open fired, catching the clankers by surprise! The gunships blasted and strafed from above as they cut through large swaths of ranks and troops.

Luminara marched out with swift strides towards Wat Tambor's gold plated, floating chariot "You are invading Republic territory! You will lay down your arms and surrender!"

"You're bluffing, Jedi! There IS no cure for the virus!" Wat Tambor tried to intimidate her. But Luminara blazed a stare into him that made his mechanical parts rust with fear. Her stride towards Tambor and the clankers got faster.

Gree waved his arm, giving a signal "Alpha Mike Foxtrot!" The Gunships launched their missiles at the approaching droid tanks and transports. Gree waited before signalling the charge "Adios, Mother F-"

The deafening explosions wrecked the advance of the Separatist army. Obi-wan started slicing up droids as Luminara joined him. Wat Tambor frantically tried to steer his hover craft away, jerking it so suddenly that Dr. Vindi fell to the soft grass. Gree ordered the men to charge, and while the Clone Troops were not at full strength in their recovery from the virus, their surprise attack sent the droids into disarray.

Vindi crawled through the battlefield as droids were blasted around him, and explosions deafened his senses. He broke into a run through some trees, saved only by his white lab smock that deterred any attention from the Republic troops. He was a white blur, and most of the clones figured him for a trooper in the fog of battle. He made his way through a light forest until he saw some buildings in a clearing. A small village nearby, a small settlement outside the base.

Obi-wan jumped onto Wat Tambor's hover craft. Wat pulled out his personal ceremonial weapon, a spear of strange blue metal. Though he had some skill in the melee, he was clearly inexperienced as the Jedi knocked the weapon away and kicked him to the ground. "Your days of terror are at an end!" he announced to the Separatist commander.

Luminara swiped past a dozen guards to stand by him, still not able to recognize him yet though she was thrilled to be by his side "There wasn't enough time to spread the cure, but the med techs are going as fast as they can!"

"If we can push them back here and now, we will gain time!" he said with a new vigor. They were a spike, driving through the shattered droid ranks, with Gree and the troops marching behind them. The air support smashed through the center line of droid tanks.

"I think we took them by surprise!" Obi-wan smiled at her "They already retreating!"

Luminara received a signal from her comlink. A young girl she did not recognize appeared "Master! I hear sounds of combat and explosions! Are you okay?" Luminara's mind had not fully recovered and she hesitated to see this girl

"This is a military transmission, young lady. You need to get to safety!" Barriss was very exhausted from being up for over 24 hours tending to wounded, but had been quick enough to realize the virus was having an effect on her Master. Before Barriss could respond, however, she is hit on the head by someone behind her and the transmission ends. Luminara gets a fuzzy feeling something terrible has happened

The droids fell back in chaos, some scrambling to board the transports to escape. Gree made sure they got blasted as they tried to lift off. Obi-wan yanked Wat Tambor by the collar and threw him at some guards "Haul this trash away. The Chancellor will decide what to do with you!"

"I saw a man in a lab coat with him!" Luminara tried to search the battlefield "Did he get away?"

"It was Dr. Vindi, a mad scientist!" Obi-wan looked around, then got a bad feeling "Something's wrong....I sense....Come with me!" they started to run across the battlefield.

"Oh no!" Luminara also sensed it. Her connection as a parent was giving off a warning within "The settlement! The girl!!"

They reached the small village. Some Clone troopers were also entering the village in a scramble, patrolling for any droids. They ran to a small medical facility. Some of the staff were working around groups of children. One of the doctors came up to them.

"Commander Unduli! We heard explosions in the distance! Are we under attack?"

"Have you seen any Separatist sympathizers? The CIS tried to invade, but they are being pushed back!" Obi-wan looked around, among the children.

They heard a child scream in the back of the building, and several nurses calling for help. The Jedi ran towards the shouting, and arrived in time to see Dr. Vindi flying away with Barriss unconscious in his arms in his clutches as a droid hover craft lifted him to safety.

"We thought he was from the base! He took Barriss as a hostage!" One of the staff gasped in horror while getting the colonists to safety!

Vindi smiled as he flew out of range of the trooper's blasters, holding the Padawan without realizing he just caught a Jedi.

Kenobi balled his free hand into a fist, Luminara's shock only lasted half a second. But both of them had felt the urgency. Dr. Vindi had taken their baby.

"Come on!" Obi-wan turned to her "We haven't a moment to lose!"

"Gree, I'm putting you in charge of the clan up!" Luminara called out on her comlink. Though she had not realized it in this emergency, Obi-wan took note that his lovely Lumi was beginning to remember people's names.

"What's happening? Where are you going?" Gree hesitated. They were victorious, but there was no order from High command to chase the retreat.

"We are going to pursue the enemy, Commander!" She replied. She rushed to a nearby garage and grabbed a speeder bike. Obi-wan could barely keep up with her! She activated the engine and took off, trying to use her senses to reach out and find Barriss. Vindi cleared the forest past retreating droids. His entire vanguard to the invasion had been smashed and the only option was to escape!

Barriss stirred, opening her eyes and realizing this cad was holding her while riding the with the droid. With quick thinking, she performed what would normally be a classic Mirialan dance move, but it surprised Vindi. Her pirouette knocked him off the droid vehicle, causing both of them to fall to the ground.

Barriss and Vindi rolled into the soft grass. The droid on its hover transport turned around to try to retrieve Vindi and blast her. Barriss braced for the strafing run, but the droid was suddenly obliterated as Luminara tore away from the woods and fired. Luminara, still dazed by the effects of Obi-wan's virus battling her virus, showed a smile and pride as Barriss held out her hand and pressed Vindi into the grass to prevent his escape.

Obi-wan caught up with them on his own speeder bike and also smirked, relieved that Barriss was ok.

"Well done, Barriss" Luminara beamed "You caught the villain behind the Dark season virus!"

"Yes, excellent work!" Obi-wan chimed in, almost like a proud father.

Barriss looked at them and sort of smiled, then tilted her head in confusion "Thank you, sir and madam....I uhh....do I know you?" Barriss looked quite tired and fatigued from her efforts in the medical tent and exposure to the virus that almost surely would have wiped out everyone on Byss.

Luminara sneezed. She and Obi-wan smiled at each other, and knew everything was going to be all right by the end of the day.

#Luminara Unduli #Obi-Wan Kenobi #captain gree #barriss offee #wat tambor #Nuvo Vindi #star wars: the clone wars #star wars the clone wars #star wars art #The Clone Wars #SW TCW #swtcw